New Group Highlights Importance of General Aviation in Communities Nationwide

NBAA has welcomed the formation of the 'General Aviation Caucus.' The caucus is co-chaired by Rep. Vernon J. Ehlers (R-3-MI) and Rep. Allen Boyd (D-2-FL).

The Representatives formed the caucus to inform Members of Congress and their staff about the value of general aviation (GA) to the nation's economy and transportation system.

"NBAA and the business aviation community thank Representatives Ehlers and Boyd for spearheading the caucus, and promoting the value of all general aviation, including business aviation" said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "The formation of the caucus demonstrates a recognition in Congress that general aviation plays a critical role in serving citizens and communities in every state."

In an invitation letter to colleagues to join the caucus, Reps. Ehlers and Boyd noted that that of the 19,000 small and regional airports across the country only 500 have commercial service, making GA the only travel option for many communities.

"The GA industry contributes more than $150 billion to the U.S. economy annually, and it employs nearly 1.3 million workers," Reps. Ehlers and Boyd wrote. "In 2008, U.S. general aviation airplane manufacturers delivered over 3,079 airplanes to customers in the United States and abroad. The total value of these aircraft was nearly $13 billion of which 44 percent were exports. The GA industry is one of the few remaining U.S. industries that actually maintains a positive foreign trade balance."

"We look forward to working with members of the GA Caucus to highlight the many ways general aviation serves the nation's interests," Bolen concluded. 

The formation of the caucus comes as NBAA and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association continue to advocate for the business aviation community through the No Plane No Gain initiative, which underscores the essential role of business aviation in America today.

FMI: www.noplanenogain.org, www.nbaa.org